When traveling abroad there are a few basic apps everyone should have. Skype and WhatsApp help you stay in touch with people back home for virtually nothing. WiFi Finder directs you to Internet hotspots so you can save precious data. XE Currency provides you with up to date exchange rates and an easy to use conversion calculator. Kindle keeps all of your books in one place so you can travel light. ICE (In Case of Emergency) consolidates all of your medical data and lists emergency contacts so you have a lifeline should an accident happen. And Google Translate can ease the challenge of language barriers; its ability to translate from speech and text in images is especially useful.

While the above apps are essential for covering your bases, the 6 apps below will help further enhance your European travel experience. They'll optimize sightseeing time, get you the best deals on local cuisine, and maybe even make you feel like a true local.

Method 1: Spotted by Locals

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The app that helps you experience Europe just like the locals do. It offers guides to 41 cities that don't focus on the same old tourist attractions but unique, insider curated tips on the coolest places to visit instead.

Spotted by Locals is perfect for anyone hoping to avoid the crowds and overpriced everything at major tourist attractions. The app can give long-term visitors a sense of familiarity with their new surroundings and offers those with only a limited amount of time to see a new city in a distinctive and unique way. Download here.

Honorable Mention: Sidekix is a free app that's quite similar to Spotted by Locals. It's navigation-based and creates walking routes centered on what activities you'd like to do along the way. It can guide you from point A to point B while directing you towards the best coffee, food, shopping, etc., along the way. Sidekix is still relatively brand new and, as it's not yet widely available in European cities, it didn't warrant top pick status. Keep your eyes on this app's updates though, as it's price tag alone may soon help it surpass Spotted by Locals. Download here.

Method 2: TheFork

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With over 40,000 restaurants to choose from, TheFork app helps you find a great place to eat no matter what you're in the mood for. Simply allow the app access to your location and it will show you all the great cuisine nearby.

TheFork is certainly not the first app of its kind but with its focus so heavily on European cities, it's a must-have for traveling there. Thanks to the clearly labeled price points and the fact that many restaurants offer exclusive deals to the app's users, TheFork makes a great choice for European travelers on any budget. Download here.

Search by starting and destination points, instead of by method of travel, and the app will create multiple route options for you to choose from.

Travel times to and from a mode of travel (to and from the airport for example) are configured into your route times. Sometimes a 1hr flight seems quicker than a 4h bus ride until you realize you're much further from the airport than the bus depot.

Partnered with over 450 train, bus, and flight companies.

Provides subway maps for select cities.

Mobile tickets are available offline.

Pay with a credit card or PayPal.

Add all of your applicable discount and membership cards to your profile in the app.

GoEuro will be useful both before and during your trip to Europe. Buying tickets ahead of time is easy for those who like to be fully prepared. But thanks to their mobile ticket option, there's no reason this app wouldn't work for someone who likes a trip to be a little more spontaneous. Download here.

Method 4: Journi

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Journi helps capture the highlights of your vacation and turns them into a story; it's a journal, diary, and blog all in one. Add photos and notes to your trip's timeline and share them with friends and loved ones, or the world.

Free, with optional in-app purchases to add one-time special moments (flights and weather) to a journal. There's also a Premium membership option ($9.99/month, $39.99/6 months, $54.99/year) where you get unlimited access to those special moments features, as well as iCloud storage, and uploads of high-resolution photos.

Journi is for travelers who need something more than what Instagram and other social media platforms can offer in terms of documenting vacations. It's like a modern-day scrapbook for creative travelers. Journi feels particularly well suited to someone traveling long-term and looking for an easy way to update people back at home. Download here.

Navigating an unfamiliar transit system can be frustrating and time-consuming, but those problems disappear with Moovit. Having a map is great, but a map with updates about schedule changes is invaluable when you're in unfamiliar territory. Taking public transit isn't just the cheaper way to get around, it's also the most authentic way to experience life in another city. Download here.

Method 6: StopJetLag

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As the name suggests, this is an app to help curb jet lag. It provides you with an hour-by-hour schedule for ideal rest and meal times, as well as when to avoid or seek out sun exposure based on your trip's details.

Despite the uncertainty of this app working for everyone, it's free to use and there's really no harm in giving it a shot. If you're only spending a short time overseas, anything that can help optimize your travel time is worth looking into. Download here.